Floating type seabed sediment cutter suction structure and ore collecting device

By designing a floating submarine sediment twisted suction structure, using a floating platform and a sediment twisted suction assembly to collect sediment deep in the seabed, the problem of difficulty in collecting deep rare earth sediments in the prior art is solved, and efficient and environmentally friendly collection effect is achieved.

CN119933706APending Publication Date: 2025-05-06CHANGSHA RES INST OF MINING & METALLURGY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510147643.7
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-02-11
Publication Date
2025-05-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

It is difficult for existing mineral collection devices to effectively collect rare earth sediments in the deep seabed, and traditional equipment has the problem of being unable to do so in deep operations.

Method used

A floating subsea sediment twisted suction structure is designed, including a floating drive assembly and a sediment twisted suction assembly. The floating platform is lifted and lowered between different water depths through vertical thrusters. The sediment twist suction assembly includes a drill twisted head and a sediment delivery tube, which can collect sediment deep into the seabed and avoid direct pressure loss to the seabed through the floating platform.

Benefits of technology

It realizes efficient collection of deep sediments in the seabed, avoids pressure loss and ecological disturbances on the seabed surface, and ensures the environmental friendliness of the operation.

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Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of seabed ore collecting devices, and discloses a floating type seabed sediment cutter suction structure and an ore collecting device. The floating type seabed sediment cutter suction structure comprises a floating driving assembly and a sediment cutter suction assembly. The floating driving assembly comprises a floating platform and a vertical propeller installed on the floating platform. The vertical propellers are responsible for driving the floating platform to ascend and descend among different water depths, so that the floating platform does not need to be directly supported on the surface of a seabed, and pressure loss and ecological disturbance to the surface of the seabed are avoided. The sediment cutter suction assembly is connected to the floating platform and faces the lower portion of the floating platform. The sediment cutter suction assembly comprises a drilling and twisting head and a sediment conveying pipe. The drilling and twisting head can go deep into a sediment mud layer with a preset depth so as to collect sediment below the surface of the seabed. And the dispersed sediments are sucked into the conveying pipeline through the sediment conveying pipe and are finally conveyed into a cabin of an operation ship, so that the collection work of the sediments below the seabed surface is completed.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of seabed ore collecting devices, and more specifically, relates to a floating seabed sediment cutting suction structure and an ore collecting device. Background Art

[0002] In the vast field of marine resource development, ore-collecting devices, as key equipment, have long played an irreplaceable role in the exploration and exploitation of marine mineral resources. Traditionally, these ore-collecting devices are mainly designed to collect polymetallic nodules distributed on the surface of the seabed. However, with the continuous advancement of marine resource exploration technology and the growing demand for deep-sea mineral resources, people have begun to pay attention to rare earth deposits deeper under the seabed. Existing ore-collecting devices often focus on operations on the surface of the seabed. Their working principles and structural characteristics are difficult to adapt to the collection needs of deep rare earth deposits. Traditional ore-collecting methods and equipment are also unable to cope with this new challenge. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a floating seabed sediment suction structure and a mineral collection device to solve the technical problem in the prior art that it is difficult to mine sediments at a certain seabed depth.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in this application is: Provided is a floating seabed sediment suction structure, comprising: A floating drive assembly, comprising a floating platform and a vertical thruster mounted on the floating platform, wherein the vertical thruster is used to drive the floating platform to rise and fall at different water depths; A sediment suction assembly is connected to the floating platform and faces downward of the floating platform; the sediment suction assembly includes a drilling head and a sediment conveying pipe, the drilling head extends into the sediment mud layer at a set depth for operation, and a material inlet of the sediment conveying pipe is arranged on one side of the drilling head.

[0005] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: Optionally, the sediment cutting and suction assembly further includes a shell and a driving member, the drilling and cutting head and the driving member are both arranged on the inner side of the shell, and the drilling and cutting head is drivingly connected to the driving member.

[0006] Optionally, the floating seabed sediment suction structure also includes a water delivery component, which includes a water delivery pump and a water delivery pipe. The water delivery pump is installed on the floating platform, the water inlet end of the water delivery pipe is connected to the water delivery pump, and the water outlet end of the water delivery pipe is arranged on one side of the drilling head.

[0007] Optionally, the floating drive assembly further includes a transverse thruster, which is mounted on the floating platform and is used to drive the floating platform to move in a transverse direction.

[0008] Optionally, there are multiple vertical thrusters, each of which is connected to the floating platform at intervals; and / or, there are multiple transverse thrusters, each of which is connected to the floating platform at intervals.

[0009] Optionally, the floating drive assembly also includes a lighting fixture and a camera, and both the lighting fixture and the camera are connected to the floating platform.

[0010] The present application also provides a seabed sediment cutter suction type ore collecting device, comprising the above-mentioned floating seabed sediment cutter suction structure.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: Optionally, the seabed sediment cutter suction ore collecting device comprises a mother ship, and the material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe is arranged on the mother ship.

[0012] Optionally, the seabed sediment suction collection device also includes a relay bin assembly, which includes a relay bin body and a negative pressure pump. The relay bin body is arranged between the material inlet and the material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe, and the negative pressure pump is connected to the relay bin body. The negative pressure pump is used to suck the material from the material inlet into the relay bin body.

[0013] Optionally, the seabed sediment suction collection device also includes a lifting pump, which is arranged between the relay bin and the material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe, and the lifting pump is used to lift the material in the relay bin to the material outlet.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The floating seabed sediment suction structure provided by the present application includes a floating drive assembly and a sediment suction assembly. The floating drive assembly includes a floating platform and a vertical thruster installed on the floating platform. The floating platform serves as the basic frame of the floating drive assembly and as the installation platform of the vertical thruster. The vertical thruster is responsible for driving the floating platform to rise and fall between different water depths, so that the floating platform does not need to be directly supported on the seabed surface, thereby avoiding pressure loss and ecological disturbance on the seabed surface like traditional collection devices, ensuring the environmental friendliness of the operation process. The sediment suction assembly is connected to the floating platform and faces the bottom of the floating platform. The sediment suction assembly includes a drill head and a sediment delivery pipe. The drill head is used as a front-end tool for the collection operation, which can penetrate into the sediment mud layer of a preset depth, effectively crush and discrete sediments, and collect sediments below the seabed surface. The material inlet of the sediment delivery pipe is arranged on one side of the drilling head. The discrete sediments are sucked into the delivery pipeline through the sediment delivery pipe and finally delivered to the cabin of the operating vessel to complete the collection of sediments under the seabed surface.

[0015] The present application also provides a seabed sediment cutter suction type ore collecting device, which includes the above-mentioned floating seabed sediment cutter suction structure, and therefore also has the advantages of the above-mentioned floating seabed sediment cutter suction structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the seabed sediment cutter suction ore collection device of the present application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the floating seabed sediment suction structure of the present application; Figure 3 It is a side view structural schematic diagram of the floating drive assembly of the present application; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the top view of the floating drive assembly of the present application; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the sediment suction assembly of the present application. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at AA in the middle.

[0018] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure are: 1. Floating drive assembly; 11. Floating platform; 12. Vertical thruster; 13. Horizontal thruster; 2. Sediment suction assembly; 21. Drilling head; 22. Sediment delivery pipe; 23. Shell; 24. Drive member; 3. Water pump; 4. Water pipe; 5. Lighting; 6. Camera; 7. Mother ship; 8. Relay chamber assembly; 81. Relay chamber body; 82. Negative pressure pump; 9. Lifting pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0020] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0021] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0022] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all professional terms used below have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art. The professional terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present application provides a floating seabed sediment suction structure, including a floating drive component 1 and a sediment suction component 2.

[0025] Specifically, the floating drive assembly 1 includes a floating platform 11 and a vertical thruster 12 installed on the floating platform 11. The floating platform 11 serves as the basic frame of the floating drive assembly 1 and as the installation platform of the vertical thruster 12. When the vertical thruster 12 is working, it generates a water flow in the vertical direction, thereby driving the floating platform 11 to rise and fall between different water depths, so that the floating platform 11 does not need to be directly supported on the seabed surface, thereby avoiding pressure loss and ecological disturbance on the seabed surface like traditional collection devices, ensuring the environmental friendliness of the operation process.

[0026] The sediment suction assembly 2 is connected to the floating platform 11 and faces the bottom of the floating platform 11. The sediment suction assembly 2 includes a drilling head 21 and a sediment delivery pipe 22. The drilling head 21 is a front-end tool for the collection operation. It can penetrate into the sediment mud layer of a preset depth, effectively crush and disperse the sediment, and collect the sediment below the seabed surface. The material inlet of the sediment delivery pipe 22 is arranged on one side of the drilling head 21. The dispersed sediment is sucked into the delivery pipeline through the sediment delivery pipe 22, and finally transported to the cabin of the operating vessel to complete the collection of sediments below the seabed surface.

[0027] like Figure 5 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the sediment suction assembly 2 also includes a shell 23 and a driving member 24. The drilling head 21 and the driving member 24 are both arranged on the inner side, and the shell 23 protects the drilling head 21 and the driving member 24 in a relatively stable working space, which not only provides necessary protection, but more importantly, it can effectively prevent the seabed collapse that may occur during the operation, thereby ensuring the continuous operation of the drilling head 21 and avoiding performance degradation due to blockage. The drilling head 21 is connected to the driving member 24, and the drilling head 21 is driven to rotate under the driving action of the driving member 24. The driving member 24 can specifically be an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, etc.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the floating seabed sediment suction structure further includes a water delivery component. The water delivery component includes a water delivery pump 3 and a water delivery pipe 4. The water delivery pump 3 is installed on the floating platform 11. The water inlet end of the water delivery pipe 4 is connected to the water delivery pump 3, and the water outlet end of the water delivery pipe 4 is arranged on one side of the drilling and twisting head 21. During the operation, the water delivery pump 3 delivers water to the working position of the drilling and twisting head 21 through the water delivery pipe 4. While the drilling and twisting head 21 rotates and cuts the seabed sediments, it fully mixes these sediments with seawater to form a muddy substance that is easy to transport, which can not only improve the collection efficiency of the sediments, but also reduce the equipment wear and energy consumption problems that may be caused by directly collecting hard sediments.

[0029] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the floating seabed sediment suction structure also includes a butt joint, a water pipe flange and a sediment delivery pipe flange. The butt joint is arranged below the floating platform 11, and the housing 23 is docked with the butt joint to prevent disturbance of the seabed sediment during the collection process. The water pipe flange and the sediment delivery pipe flange are arranged above the drilling and cutting head 21, the water pipe flange is connected to the water pipe outlet, and the sediment delivery pipe flange is connected to the material inlet of the sediment delivery pipe.

[0030] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the floating drive assembly 1 also includes a transverse propeller 13, which is specifically installed on the floating platform 11. The transverse propeller 13 generates a transverse water flow when working, thereby driving the floating platform 11 to move in the transverse direction, thereby driving the sediment suction assembly 2 to work at different positions. In addition, by adjusting the output power and steering angle of the transverse propeller 13, the movement speed and direction of the floating platform 11 in the transverse direction can be controlled.

[0031] In a specific embodiment of the present application, there are multiple vertical thrusters 12, and each vertical thruster 12 is connected to the floating platform 11 at intervals. Through the coordinated work of multiple vertical thrusters 12, a balanced and sufficient vertical propulsion force is provided for the entire floating seabed sediment suction structure, thereby realizing the vertical movement of the device in the water body.

[0032] It is understandable that the number of transverse thrusters 13 can also be multiple, and each transverse thruster 13 is connected to the floating platform 11 at intervals. Through the synergistic effect of each transverse thruster 13, the maneuverability of the floating seabed sediment suction structure in the water area is enhanced. Each transverse thruster 13 has the ability to be independently regulated, and can adjust its output power and rotation direction according to the navigation instruction to ensure that the device can navigate according to the predetermined trajectory.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the floating drive assembly 1 also includes a lighting lamp 5 and a camera 6. The lighting lamp 5 and the camera 6 are both connected to the floating platform 11. The lighting lamp 5 uses a high-pressure resistant and high-waterproof light source to ensure that stable and sufficient lighting can be provided in a deep-sea environment. The camera 6 can capture and transmit images of the underwater environment in real time, providing intuitive visual feedback to the operator, so as to accurately understand and control the working state of the floating seabed sediment suction structure.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, the present application also provides a seabed sediment suction-type ore collecting device, which includes the floating seabed sediment suction structure in the above embodiment, and therefore also has the advantages of the floating seabed sediment suction structure in the above embodiment.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the seabed sediment suction-type ore-collecting device includes a mother ship 7, and the material outlet of the sediment delivery pipe 22 is arranged on the mother ship 7. As the core control platform of the entire ore-collecting device, the mother ship 7 not only carries various key equipment, but also is responsible for the command and control of the entire operation process. During the operation, the mother ship 7 sails and anchors to the predetermined sea area, and docks with the floating seabed sediment suction structure through the sediment delivery pipe 22. Under the control of the mother ship 7, the floating seabed sediment suction structure can penetrate deep into the seabed, collect target sediments, and transport them to the material outlet on the mother ship 7 through the sediment delivery pipe 22.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the seabed sediment suction collection device also includes a relay bin assembly 8. The relay bin assembly 8 serves as a transfer station for sediment slurry. The relay bin assembly 8 specifically includes a relay bin body 81 and a negative pressure pump 82. The relay bin body 81 is arranged between the material inlet and the material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe 22, and the negative pressure pump 82 is connected to the relay bin body 81. The negative pressure pump 82 can generate suction to effectively suck the sediment slurry from the material inlet of the sediment conveying pipe 22 into the relay bin body 81, thereby ensuring the continuity and stability of the sediment slurry during the transmission process and avoiding operation interruption caused by sediment accumulation or blockage.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present application, the seabed sediment suction ore collection device further includes a lifting pump 9, which is arranged between the relay bin 81 and the material outlet of the sediment delivery pipe 22. According to different seawater depths, different pressures are required to lift the sediment slurry to the mother ship 7. The function of the lifting pump 9 is to increase the delivery pressure in the sediment delivery pipe 22 to lift the sediment slurry to the material outlet. A plurality of lifting pumps 9 can be arranged on the sediment delivery pipe 22 according to actual conditions.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A floating seabed sediment suction structure, characterized in that: include: A floating drive assembly (1) comprises a floating platform (11) and a vertical thruster (12) mounted on the floating platform (11), wherein the vertical thruster (12) is used to drive the floating platform (11) to rise and fall at different water depths; A sediment suction assembly (2) is connected to the floating platform (11) and faces downward from the floating platform (11); the sediment suction assembly (2) comprises a drilling and auger head (21) and a sediment delivery pipe (22); the drilling and auger head (21) extends into a sediment mud layer at a set depth for operation, and a material inlet of the sediment delivery pipe (22) is arranged on one side of the drilling and auger head (21).

2. The floating seabed sediment suction structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sediment cutting and suction assembly (2) further comprises a housing (23) and a driving member (24); the drilling and cutting head (21) and the driving member (24) are both arranged inside the housing (23); and the drilling and cutting head (21) is drivingly connected to the driving member (24).

3. The floating seabed sediment suction structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a water delivery component, the water delivery component comprising a water delivery pump (3) and a water delivery pipe (4), the water delivery pump (3) being installed on the floating platform (11), the water inlet end of the water delivery pipe (4) being connected to the water delivery pump (3), and the water outlet end of the water delivery pipe (4) being arranged on one side of the drilling and auger head (21).

4. The floating seabed sediment suction structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating drive assembly (1) further comprises a transverse thruster (13), wherein the transverse thruster (13) is mounted on the floating platform (11), and the transverse thruster (13) is used to drive the floating platform (11) to move in a transverse direction.

5. The floating seabed sediment suction structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: There are a plurality of vertical thrusters (12), each of which is connected to the floating platform (11) at intervals; and / or there are a plurality of transverse thrusters (13), each of which is connected to the floating platform (11) at intervals.

6. The floating seabed sediment suction structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The floating drive assembly (1) further comprises a lighting lamp (5) and a camera (6), and the lighting lamp (5) and the camera (6) are both connected to the floating platform (11).

7. A seabed sediment cutter suction ore collection device, characterized in that: It comprises the floating seabed sediment suction structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The seabed sediment cutter suction ore collecting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It comprises a mother ship (7), and the material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe (22) is arranged on the mother ship (7).

9. The seabed sediment cutter suction ore collecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a relay bin assembly (8), wherein the relay bin assembly (8) comprises a relay bin body (81) and a negative pressure pump (82), wherein the relay bin body (81) is arranged between a material inlet and a material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe (22), and the negative pressure pump (82) is connected to the relay bin body (81), and the negative pressure pump (82) is used to suck material from the material inlet into the relay bin body (81).

10. The seabed sediment cutter suction ore collecting device according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also comprises a lifting pump (9), which is arranged between the relay bin body (81) and the material outlet of the sediment conveying pipe (22), and is used to lift the material in the relay bin body (81) to the material outlet.

Citation Information

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